Sidney Crosby Pre-Game Press Conference Transcript - May 9, 2008

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Sidney Crosby Pre-Game Press Conference Transcript - May 9, 2008

(May 9, 2008)


SIDNEY CROSBY





THE MODERATOR: Questions for Sidney.



Q. Sidney, with Kimmo Timonen out of the series, apparently, how does this change the approach of maybe your forecheck in terms of the Penguins going at them? He's likely their best puck moving Defenseman if not their only solid one. Does it change in terms of how you might approach that forecheck?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Oh, no. I mean, we're not going to change anything. I think we come with a lot of pressure typically, and that's not going to change because he's out. So I think we kind of go about the same things. Obviously, that's a loss for them. But at the same time, we're a prime example when guys go down other guys can step up. So I don't think we're looking too much into it.



Q. What was it like to open up the first two series at home, and how do you expect tonight's atmosphere to compare?

SIDNEY CROSBY: It's always great. You want home ice advantage. And you earn that right during the season. But we really want to take advantage of that and make sure we use that energy to our advantage. You know, for us, we want to start the same way we have for the past two and make sure that we're solid, and starting off the series right.



Q. You said you don't expect your forecheck to change with Timonen out. But how would you expect their game to change with him out?

SIDNEY CROSBY: I don't think they're going to change too much. I mean, as far as systems go, everything's going to be the same. But they'll probably change the power plays, he's a big part of their power play quarterbacking it. Usually him and Richards were together back there. So I'm sure there will be some adjustments there. And for us that will mean a little more adjusting to. Because we don't know who is going to fill in that spot so we'll have to adjust as well.

You know, both teams are kind of in the same situation.



Q. The further you go in the playoffs, how exciting is this for you? Because for a lot of guys this is just the first time to the next step? Or do you just try to keep that under the level?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, you just take it one at a time. You can't get caught looking ahead. I mean, in a series, in a game, period. Your focus has to be on what you have to do and your task, and if you worry about that, you hope you get the results, but you can't look far ahead.



Q. You've been through the route obviously with the Memorial Cup, which is different from a standpoint, but still are there some similarities that you were able to draw from that a little bit?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, I think anything in your past experiences like you said, Memorial Cup and memorial juniors and where there is a little more pressure. You just try to think back to what worked, what didn't. I think if you look back to all those situations, all the guys will tell you you've played in big scenarios or big situations. You just have to focus on what you have to do and nothing outside of that. You know, I think going through that helps you do that in these situations.



Q. You said you're not going to really change your game plan with Timonen out and they're probably not going to change a whole lot. But when you get to this point in the playoffs you're looking for any kind of advantage, things are so tight. Is this the kind of break you guys look for at this point? Are you guys paying any attention to this? You've got to be at least a little happy that your top Defenseman goes down.

SIDNEY CROSBY: It's one of those things that you can't get caught thinking about it because you don't want to assume anything. An easy assumption would be maybe their power play is not going to be where it needs to be because he's out. But that could make us pay. That means that we're overconfident, and I don't think we can afford to do that.

To be honest, we've worked too hard to let other situations affect the way we play. We'd be hurting ourselves by doing that.

As I said, we're a prime example. When guys were out, we had a lot of guys step up and we surprised a lot of people. I'm sure a lot of guys in that room are trying to do the same thing. So it wouldn't be smart on our part to take that lightly.



Q. What have you seen in the development of Ryan Malone's game that has allowed him to have such a solid, all around season?

SIDNEY CROSBY: He's definitely been consistent. He's got the opportunity to play in the first power play. He's a big guy. He's really made a name for himself as being the guy in front of the net. He's got a presence there. He's got a great scoring touch. As well he's been pretty responsible with their penalty kills, so he's become a pretty complete player and a big part of our team.